WHAT`S NEW!

800.839.1154 | TDECU.ORG | A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM YOUR CREDIT UNION
JANUARY 2014
WHAT’S NEW!
What you need to know about your finances,
your financial future and managing your money.
SABRINA VALE
Branch Manager
Holiday Closing:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 20, 2014
All branches will be closed except
for our Marathon and Downtown
Tunnel locations, which will observe
normal business hours.
You may still complete financial
transactions 24/7 using TDECU
All-the-Time® Online Banking, Max
Telephone Banking, and our network
of over 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
2014 Annual Meeting
Join us: Thursday, January 30, 2014
Dow Academic Center
500 College Drive, Lake Jackson
Check-in Begins: 6 p.m.
Meeting Begins: 7 p.m.
We hope to see
everyone there!
Woodlands Branch Now Open
We are happy to announce we have opened
another TDECU branch. Our Woodlands location
will support our growing membership in North
Houston and is conveniently located at
1410 Research Forest Drive, Shenandoah,
TX, 77381.
Visit TDECU.org for hours of
operation. We look forward to
seeing you soon!
Federally insured by NCUA.
Federally insured by NCUA.
TOP WORKPLACE TWO YEARS RUNNING
We are excited to announce that for a
second consecutive year,
Your Credit Union has
been recognized as one
of Houston’s Top
Workplaces by
the Houston
Chronicle,
ranking #11
among the area’s
Top 35 large
employers (those
with 500 or more
employees).
This is quite an
improvement over our 34th
place ranking as a 2012 Top
Workplace and is a special
honor for us because it’s awarded
by our own employees. This distinction
recognizes and ranks companies in
Greater Houston based on
organizational health in the areas
of direction, innovation and
connection to its employees, as well as
employee satisfaction in the areas of
work-life balance, compensation and
opportunities for career development.
“We are proud to
be recognized by
our employees as a
Top Workplace once again. It
underscores the foundation upon
which TDECU is built; that of
improving the lives of our members,
our employees and the communities we
are proud to support,” said Stephanie
Sherrodd, TDECU President and CEO.
Thank you for letting us help you with your personal financial needs.
We look forward to finding ways to improve your life and invite you to
visit us at your local branch today.
SET THE COURSE FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
Pay Off Holiday Debt
To apply, visit your local TDECU branch, call Member Care, or go
online to TDECU.org today!
Credit approval required. 3.74% APR is the lowest rate offered on a 12-month term and includes a 0.25% discount for autopay.
Balance:
Tools for Building Financial
Management Skills
To help you get in financial shape this
New Year, TDECU is continuing its
partnership with BALANCE, a financial
fitness program that provides free, easy
and convenient access to financial
education resources. Some of the tools
available to you through the BALANCE
program include:
InfoLine
A toll-free number connects you to
certified counselors: Monday-Thursday
7 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
and Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. (CST)
Money Management Counseling
Certified financial counselors can help
you develop short and long-term financial
strategies.
BalanceTrack
Work through financial education
modules at your own pace and free of
charge.
Debt Management Plan
Create a plan to consolidate your credit
card payments, lower payment amounts,
and even reduce or eliminate interest and
fees.
Credit Report Review
A counselor will review your credit report
with you, making sure you know your
rights. BALANCE can even provide a
low-cost credit report.
Sharpen your money management
skills by calling BALANCE toll-free
at 888.456.2227 or by accessing
financial tools and resources at
TDECU.org/BALANCE.
Personal Finance: Building Your Good Credit
Do you know the condition of your credit score?
Are you informed about your creditworthiness?
Having good credit gives you the freedom to
make savvy financial decisions. On the other
hand, bad credit means having to pay higher
interest rates on car loans; the inability to
qualify for a home mortgage or a sign that
more serious financial trouble could be in
your future, unless changes are made. So
what can you do? Here’s some helpful advice.
How can I improve my credit score?
Begin by paying off credit card debt,
particularly on those that have a higher
interest rate. Also be sure to make on-time
payments and try to use no more than 10
percent of the credit limit on any account.
Your income and overall net worth do not
determine your credit score. How
responsible you are with the credit that has
been extended to you will influence the
direction your credit score goes.
So what determines my credit score?
Your score is determined by both positive
and negative information in your credit
report. For example, late payments will lower
your score, but re-establishing a good track
record of making payments on time will raise
your score.
Factors that determine your credit score
are payment history, amounts owed, length
of credit history, new credit and types of
credit, along with collection actions, civil
judgments and tax liens lodged against you.
Whether or not personal bankruptcies have
been filed also goes into factoring your credit
score.
If I pay off and close my credit card accounts,
does this help improve my credit score?
This move could backfire on you. Instead
of closing the account, pay off the credit card
and hold on to it, especially if you have a long
payment history with the issuer of the card.
I need help in learning how to manage my
finances to improve my credit history.
What resources are available?
TDECU offers members access to free
resources and financial education through
the BALANCE program, which includes
assistance from certified financial counselors.
Visit TDECU.org/BALANCE to learn
more about all the program has to
offer.
Save with TurboTax®
This year, accomplish something you
never thought possible – do your own
taxes. With TurboTax®, you can be
confident they’ll be done right. Plus,
TDECU members save $5 on
TurboTax Federal Deluxe edition.
Visit TDECU.org/TurboTax to get all
the details on how they guarantee
your maximum refund and how to
get started!
Brandei Burridge
Health Care Countdown
(LHIC, CBC, SGS)
TDECU Insurance Agency, LLC
It’s time − with less than three months to enroll by the March
31st deadline, TDECU Insurance Agency is here to help you
find affordable comprehensive health care coverage that meets
your needs and your budget.
Use this quick-check chart from the Health Insurance
Marketplace (healthcare.gov) to determine if you qualify to
save on health insurance coverage, and then call TDECU
Insurance to discuss your options.
You may also find it helpful to visit our blog at
TDECU.org where you’ll find more information about
Healthcare Reform (under “Insurance Talk”).
Do I qualify to save on health insurance coverage?
Number of people in your household
Private Marketplace Health Plans
It’s a new year; a time when many people look at ways to start anew. If you’re
looking to pay off outstanding holiday debts on high-interest credit cards, we
can help with a personal loan that features an annual percentage rate as low as
3.74%. It’s our way of providing a brighter beginning to a brand New Year.
You may qualify for lower premiums on a Marketplace
insurance plan if your yearly income is between…
See next row if your income is at the lower end of this range.
You may qualify for lower premiums AND lower
out-of-pocket costs for Marketplace insurance if your
yearly income is between…
1
2
3
4
5
6
$11,490 - $15,510 - $19,530 - $23,550 - $27,570 - $31,590 $45,960 $62,040 $78,120 $94,200 $110,280 $126,360
$11,490 - $15,510 - $19,530 - $23,550 - $27,570 - $31,590 $28,725 $38,775 $48,825 $58,875 $68,925 $78,975
A WINNING COMBINATION YOU CAN TRUST
IF YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR INCLUDE ACHIEVING THE DREAM OF
HOME OWNERSHIP, LET US HELP.
TDECU Real Estate and TDECU Mortgage are full-service agencies, offering members like you special rates, programs
and promotions that can’t be found anywhere else. Add Century Oaks Title, LLC to the mix and you’ve got a complete
team of professionals ready and able to handle your real estate transactions with ease. See what three of your fellow
members shared with us about their recent experiences with these three credit union services:
“As first time home buyers, TDECU Real Estate made an
intimidating process much more smooth and straightforward.
Kara was wonderful to work with and made the whole
process so easy.”
“Roxanne, at TDECU Real Estate, was such a big help to us.
She was always on top of things and provided answers for
whatever we asked her.”
“My sincere thanks to Cheryl and Lurisa at TDECU
Mortgage for their expertise when processing our loan.
It was the quickest and easiest we have ever experienced.
We were impressed with the level of personal attention we
received and the convenience during the closing process.
Gabe, with Century Oaks Title, explained each document
in detail as we signed them. Their promptness and
proficiency were outstanding!”
We’re here for you! With TDECU Real Estate, TDECU Mortgage and Century Oaks Title, all our members
have convenient access to the support and services needed when making one of life’s biggest decisions.
Call us for more information on title services, real estate and mortgage programs and rates!
Proud to be one of the largest credit unions
in Texas and most proud of the lives we are
improving on the way.
BANK
TDECU–YOUR CREDIT UNION
800.839.1154 • TDECU.org
INSURE
TDECU INSURANCE AGENCY, LLC
888.833.7358 • TDECUinsurance.org
INVEST
TDECU WEALTH ADVISORS
877.635.7028 • TDECUWealthAdvisors.org
OWN
TDECU REAL ESTATE, LLC
800.335.8649 • TDECURealEstate.org
CENTURY OAKS TITLE, LLC
877.585.0282 • CenturyOaksTitle.com
IN REMEMBRANCE of RALPH BRYANT
We are sorry to note the passing of Ralph
Lafayette Bryant on Sunday, November 24,
2013, following a brief illness. Mr. Bryant was
an early pioneer of TDECU,
serving as a 30-year
member of the Board of
Directors and providing
guidance that resulted in
the credit union’s
success.
Mr. Bryant was a retiree of
Dow Chemical Company.
When he first joined
TDECU, he saved the $5
to open an account. With gas at 19¢ a gallon,
that was a significant investment at the time,
but he thought a credit union “sounded like
a good idea.” Throughout his many years of
service, one of Mr. Bryant’s fondest memories
was serving on the committee that approved
the credit union’s first auto loan. He
once remarked that TDECU was “like
family.”
He is survived by his loving wife,
Melba Bryant, and sons Ralph Bryant
and wife, Jo; Dennis Billings and wife,
Sandra; Michael Bryant and wife,
Linda; Gary Bryant and wife, Jean;
Charles Ray Singley and wife, Maria.
He is also survived by one daughter,
Catherine Bryant-Riser and husband,
C.A.; and two sisters, Joyce Sanders and Inez
Maynard; 15 grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren.
Connecting with our Community to Improve Lives
It’s always our pleasure to serve you! The TDECU culture, built upon the philosophy of people helping
people, empowers our employees to volunteer in their communities and support charities and organizations
in need. TDECU team members were out in force this fall.
WHERE YOU NEED US
From dentists and boats to air conditioners
and furniture – over 180 community businesses
offer convenient On-The-Spot Financing for TDECU
members.
You can shop with confidence at any of our
On-The-Spot Financing partners. They’ll help you
with the product you want or the service you
need, and even arrange for TDECU financing
without you ever having to visit a branch.
We enjoy making it easy and
convenient for you! See our
growing list of On-The-Spot
Financing partners
at TDECU.org
(under “Accounts
and Services”).
While you’re
shopping,
look for
this symbol!
Clockwise, starting upper left: Our branches celebrated INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY with a host of
activities created to remind members about the great benefits associated with being a credit union member.
Member Brandy Barton with Jo Beth Tieken; ANNUAL HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE – (Brazoria Branch) We invited the
community to join us in helping to feed the hungry this holiday season by participating in our annual canned food
drive; INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY - Grace Binz with Member Laverne Buesing; THANKSGIVING TURKEY
DISTRIBUTION DRIVE – We teamed up with Majic 95.9 FM in Victoria for their Annual Turkey Drive. More than
300 turkeys were given to needy families.
I-C-N-1213-012